Westfield hopes to be reimbursed by state for 2 new roofs at Paper Mill, Munger Hill schools

WESTFIELD – The state’s School Building Authority is expected to provide up to 62 percent reimbursement for roof replacements at the city’s two newest elementary schools.

If approved, Paper Mill and Munger Hill schools, both opened in 1991, will bring the total of Westfield school roof projects funded by the state to five by next spring.

The state has provided the city with 62 percent reimbursement for roofs at Southampton Road and Highland Avenue schools, both completed last summer, and the soon to start project at Westfield Vocational-Technical High School. In all the cost for roof replacements in the city is about $8.4 million to date.

School Operations Director Frank B. Maher Jr. this week estimated the cost of Paper Mill and Munger Hill schools at $1.6 to $1.8 million combined.

SBA last week notified the School Department to submit both schools for submit proposals for inclusion of the two schools in its accelerated repair program.

SBA recently reimbursed the city about $4,000 for emergency roof repairs at Munger Hill School which was damaged when a 20-foot section of steel roofing was ripped from the building during the June 1 tornado.

“That is when we discovered a problem with roofs at Munger Hill and Paper Mill,” Maher said this week. “An inspection of the roofs, both 20 years old, revealed an algae problem that is eating away the rubber membrane under the roof,” he said.

New roofs for both buildings will be made of a PVC, plastic type substance, Maher said.

Maher estimated roof replacements at the two schools will happen next spring because of other projects already underway here.

A new roof will be installed at the vocational high school shortly, including new boilers and windows at the Smith Avenue facility.

Also, contracts for new boilers at Southampton Road, Highland and Paper Mill schools and Westfield High School are be awarded for work to be completed by October 15.

Overall, school projects will cost about $12 million, all subject to 62 percent state reimbursement.